Part 18

"HUG". As per psychology, a woman needs it from her BELOVED ONE to feel secure, confident, peace and to feel like someone is there to share their grief. Whatever it is, now Arnav just want to give her the warmth of security and peace to her stormy mind.

Khushi was feared to death when her brother tried to drag her husband to his path. How could she let it happen? She could even kill Shyam to save her husband from that mire. She believed that her husband loves her. His love only belongs to her. She will go to any extent to save his love. What was the misery is she didn't know that she is doing all these things just because she already started falling for him.

Arnav was overwhelmed by Khushi. Her outburst on her brother was definitely unforeseen for him. He recalled Ratna's words. "What if she behaves violently?" Yes, she behaved so today. Dangerously violent. But she never showed it on Arnav. Did she know with whom she should behave violent? The pain on his shoulders tells how violent she was when she tried to hit Shyam. The effort he put to keep her in his control was something out of his judgment.

He remembered his own word "FORCE". It won't be that easy to force Khushi just like that. Maybe she was beyond the girl from FORCING. He felt delighted.

Why she was so soft towards him? Answer is, She is not a girl, who let out her frustration on everyone. She understands the difference. How wiser she is...

He sensed that she was calmed down. Khushi gets separated from the hug. She hurriedly came out and rooted seeing Shashi standing with guilt. Again her anger raised, she clutched his collar spitting lava in her eyes.

Khushi: Happy? Seeing your blood turned exactly like you? Because of you, your son is like this today. Following your footstep, he is also trying to change my HUSBAND. You made my mother cry, my Bhabi cry and I cry. Is it not enough? Will you get satisfied only after changing my Husband too? You are not a human. You are not a deserving person to be called a father. I came to know, you lied to get me married to him. I Hate you. (she exclaimed and rushed to her room and locked it from inside.)

Shashi stood there helplessly. His daughter talked with him after some years, but not in a way he wanted. It would have been better if she keeps her "no talks" policy then talking like this. Arnav felt very miserable for his father in law. He knew his wife's extreme hatred towards these men. It seems like he knew very few. It's something beyond the planet.

Shashi: I'm sorry Arnav. I'm really very sorry.

Arnav: I don't understand how to react uncle.

Shashi: I know by now you might get to know that I lied to Khushi to get her married to you. (Arnav nodded yes, without saying anything letting Shashi complete what he started.) Khushi was right. I might not be a good Human or a good Husband. But I wanted to be a good father. That's why I lied, because I know you. I believed that you will show her another side of Mankind.

Arnav(cutting him): But how could you take a risk knowing your daughter? What if it backfired?

Shashi: Yes I too doubted at first. But I relaxed when Arvind told me that you liked Khushi and you wanted to marry her. (Arnav raised her eyebrows in amusement.) Everyone knows if ASR gets into something then he will win by hook or by crook. (Arnav chuckled hearing his Father in law's confident) It's just about the image of a business deal than no need to think about your personal life. I'm sorry Arnav, I did wrong by putting your life in trouble.

I don't know why Shyam did something stupid. He was very much satisfied with your proposal. In fact, he was the one who insisted me to lie knowing his sister's move. But today he confused me. (saying he went to his room with the same confusion)

Arnav also surprised knowing that. Shyam wanted this proposal work? Then why he behaved totally opposite?

Garima and Anjali were in tears as usual. They had no words to console Arnav. Anjali was in excessive wrath. Which brother does like Shyam did? What a brother he is? Khushi was right. He won't even deserve standing in front of Arnav.

Arnav knocked Khushi's room. There was no response.

Arnav: Khushi open the door. Khushi..(he shouted)

No response. Garima and Anjali were consoled Arnav.

Garima: she will be fine. She needs some time.

Anjali: Han Arnav, leave her alone for a while.

Without giving ear to them he came outside and jumped inside her room through the window. He saw Khushi was packing his bag.

Khushi looked at him and continued her work. Arnav sat there quietly. She wants him to leave Gupta house. She won't like him to stay with her brother definitely not after this mess. It will be a good decision. He should leave. Let her be happy with her mother for some day. But he was surprised when she started packing her own bag too.

Arnav: Khushi what are you doing?

Khushi: We are leaving.

Arnav: Khushi your mom and Bhabi will feel bad if we leave like this.

Khushi: What about me? and you? Won't you feel bad staying here? With the guy who insulted you?

Arnav: I'm not here for your brother or father. I'm here just for you.

Khushi: That's why I don't want you here. I can't tolerate anyone being disrespect for me.

Arnav( looking at her adoringly): Then I will face thousands of disrespects just to be with you Khushi.

Khushi's eyes tear up and she turned her face to hide it from him. He smiled seeing that.

Arnav: Khushi, please listen to me, don't do this, at least for your Mom.

Khushi: you saw me packing right? Then why were you silent at first?

Arnav: I thought you were only sending me back.

Khushi(surprised): Are you ok with that?

Arnav nodded no while folding his lips.

Khushi: Then what would have you do?

Arnav: what could I do, after watching my wife's MAHAKALI avatar, how could I dare to deny her?

Khushi(suppressing her smile): It will be good if you remember that all the time.

Arnav: My shoulder pain never let me forget those moments. I will go from here and comes after everyone sleeps. (he winked at her)

Khushi: That's it. You and change of mind... No way.

Arnav: Because, if you are Mahakali then I'm Lord Shiva and don't forget that, the only person who can make Mahakali calm down is her HUSBAND. Right?

Khushi(surprisingly): Do you know these things too?

Arnav: Yah. It's my mother's business to stuff those things in my mind from my childhood. Though I'm not fond of those stories but I never missed to adopt the moral which my mom wanted to feed me.

Khushi liked it very much. The way he respects his mother and her effort, even though he had no interest in it.

Khushi(excitedly): what else aunty taught you?

Arnav: self-discipline and Chastity.

Khushi:( bomb shelled): Chastity? She asked in disbelief.

Arnav: Yeah, according to my Mom, it's equal to Men like women. No difference. Couples should be wholesome to one another. She is very strict in that concept.

Khushi(overwhelmed): I want to HUG ...

Arnav(before she completes, spreading his hands): I'm waiting. He moved towards her....

Khushi(folding her hands): I want to hug Aunty.

Arnav(disappointedly): What? This is injustice. It's me who followed her advice. Don't forget.

Khushi(suppressing her smile): Teacher comes first.

Arnav(eagerly): So second chance is mine then?

Khushi: Student deserves appreciation not hug.

Arnav( rushed to her and hugged her tightly): I too deserve it.

Khushi(shockingly): Leave me.

Arnav: Not until you appreciate me.

Khushi: What????

Arnav: Didn't you say student deserves appreciation?

Khushi: So what????

Arnav: Hug me back.

Khushi: No.

Arnav: Than I will think, you want to be in my arms for long.

Khushi gave up and hugged him back.

Khushi: Now leave me.

Arnav: How could I break the hug when my wife wants to hug me? (he asked suppressing his laugh)

Khushi( hitting on his back): Leave me or else I will show you my Mahakali avatar again.

Arnav( tightening his grip): It won't help in front of Shiva.

Khushi(chuckled): Leave me now.

Arnav(while breaking the hug): Are you Ok? he asked touching her cheek.

Khushi surprised at his concern. So he did this mischievous to make her get rid of the grief? She nodded yes and she came back to her point.

Khushi: We are leaving and that's final.

Arnav(clutching her hand): we will.... not now but tomorrow. Please don't embarrass your Mom. Think about your Bhabi. How low she would feel?

Khushi doesn't know how to react to his concern. He thinks a lot about another's pain. He even changed her angry mind into a lighter one. She almost forgot the fight with her brother. Something is changing in her. It's definitely not because he is TOO HANDSOME. It's just because HE WAS TOO GOOD FROM INSIDE.

To be continued.......